In March, new orders for manufactured goods jumped 2.1%, the
highest level in eight months. The gain was helped by an increase
in demand for transportation equipment.

In a note ahead of the data, Nomura economists
wrote, "Factory orders
have been weak since late summer, as various factors such as the strong dollar,
low oil prices, bad weather and the West
Coast port
disruptions have slowed business activity."

"The decline in total durable
goods orders in
April sets a low baseline for factory orders."